ST:TMP Drydock - Revisited!

It's been a while since I've posted anything concerning the Drydock model, but I've been adding some finishing touches to the final model. So far, I've added some more detailing work to the support armature and finally painted it the appropriate color. I've fixed or restraitened all of the tensioning rods around the light panels, hid the wiring for all of the lights a lot better by painting them and adding harnesses around the cables. I've just about repainted the entire drydock model to even out the color. Next I rebuilt the control panel so that it now fits underneathe model and can be pulled out like a drawer. I redid all of the black velvet to hide the display case a lot better and also made a plexi-glass dust cover to protect the entire model. Next I've added about 60-70 1/350 scale crewmembers both to the drydock and Enterprise hangers to give a better appearance of scale to the ships. Finally I've begun working on a set of work bees with scratch-built harnesses to tote the cargo containers to and from the drydock along with 4 new travel pods that I purchased from Don's Light & Magic. I will then be suspending these items with a very thin steel wire thats painted flat black. You can see all of the pics in my photo gallery under "Drydock gets a facelift" Album.

Let me know what you think
~NemVia~

I just wanted to inform everyone that I found out that as of last Wednesday, Russ Simpson the builder of the original ST:TMP drydock had passed away. I did have brief contact with him via e-mail and was hoping to meet him in person. But alas, our paths would now never meet. The drydock, to me was an awesome accomplishment for movie models. It was a great inspiration to me and others to build our own highly detailed models from scratch. Thank you Russ for your wonderful contributions to the movie world. You've inspired us all to keep at it!
~Mark~

Thanks Guys!
Mark.

[8D]

Good News Everyone! The ST:TMP is now officially finished! I have 32 new pics of my now fully lit model! I've taken pics from as many angles as Icould think of. You can click on all of the photos to enlarge all of the details. I purposely left them this way for that reason. I hope you enjoyed following me on this project and will stick around fro my next one. I will be editing the drydock pics down to only one page to allow room for more pics of future projects, so if you wondered what has happened to them this is your heads up! Thank you to all of those who followed the building of this monster project and thanks for your patience! If you would like to see the model in person, I am planning on bringing it to a few model conventions. If you could assist me in finding a few hobby shows in the Chicagoland area please let me know when and where. Maybe we can meet and say "Hi" Stay tuned for my next project!

~NemVia~!

[8D]I should have a few new updates of the control panel and wiring within the next week or so.... please keep checking!
~NemVia~

Here are a few front end shots.

[8D]

If you like those pics... Check out this next update!
This weeks update I have 12 new test lighting pics. I have all of the details finished including the detailing for the armature. All I have left to do now is attach the topsides and build the control panel for both models. In the NEW PICS all of the drydock's lights are now on. All of the pics are once again are illuminated by the drydock lights ONLY. In the next update I'll have the drydock and the Enterprise lights all on. Stay tuned.

Mark

OK, if ILM or some other FX company hasn't hired you, they're nuts!

"Great job" doesn't even begin to cover it.

[8D]

This update has the first lighting test pics of the port side of the drydock. All of the pics you will see here are lit "ONLY" by the lighting from the Drydock model. There was no additional lighting used to enhance the pics. Just imagine how it will look when the top and starboard side lights are working. As of this update, none of the wiring for the PLE is hooked up as of yet. First I'll finish the wiring for the drydock, which should take another week or so, then I'll start running the controll switch wiring to a control panel which will allow the individual groups of lights, including the ships to turned on and off at any given time. Stay tuned! More to come soon!

~NemVia~

more pics on our website

[8D]I know the updates have been a little slow the last few weeks, but I am working on a lot of the wiring for the Drydock. I've run into a few snags that slowed me down a bit, but I should have some new pics for you shortly. I have almost one side of the model wired and I did a test lighting in the dark and let me tell you the model looks stunning under it's own lighting. I'll get a picture of that posted in the next few days. I still need to add some re-enforcements to the side panels to keep them from swaying when the model is moved. I'm adding the work booms on and the work lights. The trick is to hide the wiring and make it look like its part of the detailing. I'll add another update when these details are completed. Stay tuned!

~NemVia~

[8D]I've been doing a lot of work on the Drydock these last 2 weeks. I have 12 new pics that show off some very nice views of the model, thus far. I've begun wiring the PL Enterprise to it's connectors and have run the wires up to the overhead modules. I've also painted the Gangway. Next I'll finish building the coverings to hide the wiring and then I'll start to add the work booms and lights. I had to add some re-enforcement rods to the side panels to support the weight of the panels and to help straighten them out. It will also keep the model together so I can move it around without worry during transport. These rods will be painted later on. I also have some good news for those of you who didn't care much for the green color on the Enterprise "Strong-back". (I know I didn't really care for it and the more I thought about it... I REALLY didn't care for it.) Sooo... I decided to make the color a lot more subtle as seen on ST:TMP. This also harmonizes with the rest of the Aztec detailing. You know it's there, but it doesn't jump out at you. In the next few weeks I'll also be making a cover for the model box so it will be safe when it's stored or being moved. Stay tuned. It's nearly done!

~NemVia~ 

[8D]I've added 15 new pics for the Drydock pt II. I've finished up some of the detailing on the spot lights, work booms, work lights, and the misc. panels. I've also added some dry transfers to a few of the pieces. I've also started working on the part of the Drydock that I've been looking forward to since I've started working on this project and that is the "Gangway" that will connect the Enterprise to the drydock. By the next update I'll have that detailed a little more and painted up. Then I can start adding these pieces to the model and finally enclose the drydock around the Enterprise! More to come!

~NemVia~

[8D]I've now started on the Spot light turrets that are seen at the very bottom of the drydock. 3 new pics are on the last page. Next I'll add wiring and LEDs, then I'll opaque all of the new parts I've just finished and paint them their final color. Then I can finally work on the Gangway and begin assembling the last panel frames to the overhead modules.

~NemVia~

[8D]I've added 5 new pics of some of the details that will be added to the boom pivots and the six small panels that are seen as the travel pod passes the outside of the drydock. Also a closup of this detail is seen as the Enterprise pulls out of Drydock. I'm still working on the Spot light cannons or whatever those things are on the bottom of the drydock. I guess they could be the moorings that you here mentioned, but I don't know. I'll have some pics of those hopefully by the end of next week.

~NemVia~

The Pic below is the detail that I'm speaking of:

Puma_Adder

OMG........ My gundams just collectively shat themselfes.................. THIS IS AMAZING! Can't wait to see the finished work! [bow]

Wow! Hope there wasn't too big a mess!

[8D]

I've now begun lighting the Work booms and the 6 sided panels. I've added some fiber optics to save on LEDs. This also helps to add more lighting effects for the model. On page 5 you can see how the optics will light up the ends of the work booms. More to come later! ~NemVia~

[8D]Got a little more done today. I've built and drilled out holes on the pivots for the work booms and I've started  on the travel pod dock that is connected to the outsode of the gangway. I have the Light booms finished and will start wiring by the end of the week. Just a few more details to complete here and then I can begin the final assembly of the entire Drydock.  Hang in there... She's nearing her finish.
~NemVia~

[8D]I've started building those 6 sided light panels and added some lighting details. I have 7 new pics  on the site of how these are being built. These pieces are very tough to make and I've tried several ideas as to how to build them, but it's just one of those details I'm going to have to go around because I can't find what I need to build them. Hope you like the alternative instead.
~NemVia~

BIG UPDATE TODAY! I've added 19 new pics to the Drydock pt II page! I've finished the important part of the drydock display stand and I've assembled the starboard side of the panel frames. I've also added the PL Enterprise and did a few test pics with the model in place. It's looking sharp! Before I can add the other side of panel frames, though, I have to work on the gangway tunnel and a few other pieces that need to be added before the Enterprise can be enclosed in the Drydock. I hope everyone who visits enjoys these pics. It just means I'm that much closer to finishing my dream model! Please leave any comments you wish! I'll see you on the next update!

~ NemVia~

[8D]Today I started building the base for a box that will shroud the Drydock model. The box will be used to protect the model during transport. Hopefully to a few model shows. I'm making the top and sides with hinges so the box can be opened as a display case. I will be lining the base and sides with black velvet material. Black velvet absorbs light so it will be easier to photograpgh the model from different angles and it will appear to be hanging in space. At least that's the idea. I'm also adding some castors so that the box can be safely moved on the floor. After I finish this box it will be easier for me to do the finally assembly and wiring of the entire model, including the PL Enterprise. Once these are in place I can start building those hexagon lights, the booms and the other spot lights and better judge their size and distance from the ship. I'll have more pictures in a few days, but now everything is winding down to completion. Keep checking! More to come!

~NemVia~

Hey! Thanks guys! Glad you're keeping up with the model's progress!

[8D]

I've added 2 new pics to Drydock pt II. The final details for the underside of the Overhead modules has been added. I'm now completely finished with that part of the model. I've also added some re-enforcement for the modules armature. This will help support the weight of the panel frames. I'll get a picture of that in there by the next update. Now, I will be working on the models mounting box which will house the entire model for when I transport it hopefully to model shows. I need to do this now because once I assemble the panel frames to the overhead modules, it will be very difficult to move the model around. Plus I'll have a stable surface to work on the additional details and wiring that will be added when the re-fit model gets added. Stay tuned! More to come!

~NemVia~

[8D]

Just an update. As of today I now have all of the panel frame covers in place for both sides. I'm not addding a new pic at this point because it is identical to the other side. If you haven't seen the first side then check out my website. I have to do a little bit of re-soldering for some of the panels due to connection problems, but they're basically done. Now I'm going to be adding the spindles to the overhead modules, then I need to add some re-enforcement to the armature to hold the weight of the ship and the drydock. After that I should be able to put the panelframes together with the overhead modules, then I can start on the booms and other details. I also will begin working on the final wiring and the roof of the overhead modules. Hang in there, people! I'm getting there! ~NemVia~

[8D]I have added just one pic in Drydock pt. II. I have finished putting the inserts and colored gels on the entire port side frame. (21 panels) I added the pic to show how much closer I am to finishing this project. Now I'm working on the Starboard side and should have that finished by the end of next week. Then I can start assembling the frames to the overhead modules! Enjoy the pic and see you in the next update!

~NemVia~

Todays Drydock pt II update has 3 pics in it. I have finally connected together all of the light panels and have a test lighting pic. They're all working good! That will be the last time you see the panels frames in "WHITE". I began spraying the panels and frames on Monday. It takes about 2 to 2 1/2 hours per side to have everything completely painted. By "side"  I mean inside and outside. There are so many details to paint so it takes a lot of time to make sure everything is covered. I just finished the final touch-ups today (Wednesday). Next I'm now adding some of the numberings that are seen on the backs of the light panles. There is only One panel in ST:TMP that the numbers are completely visible on the screen. I'm using White Dry-Transfers to add this finish touch. In the next update I'll have the front of the light panels with their inserts in place, then I'll begin working on the work booms, and work lights as well as starting on the Gangway mechanism and also the top parts of the overhead modules! See you next update!

~NemVia~

[8D]

In this weeks update, I've finally assembled one complete side of the panel frames along with the spindle assemblies. New Pics on the Sorry it took so long for this update, but the spindles took quite a long time to finish. I'll be starting on the other side of the panel frames as soon as I post this. Hopefully, by next week I'll be able to have these assemblies painted and begin mounting them to the overhead modules. It's getting exciting now! I can't wait to get the Enterprise into this thing! Until the next update.... Keep checking the site!

~NemVia~

Beowolf47 wrote:

Any new update photos, since the date of this post? I remember seeing this at Starshipbuilder, before things changed. I'll make sure to keep an eye on this. Have you thought of doing a TOS version?

I should have a few new pics by the end of the week. The spindles took a little longer than I thought, but they are all finished now. I just started the attachment process. Hopefully I'll get that finished by the end of the week and next week I'll be able to paint it the final color. A TOS version of the drydock? Hmmm. Have to think about that one. I'm sure it will have a lot less details to build. Of course with the new movie coming out, the amount of details could change. but then they say it was built on Earth now, right?

-NemVia-

Any new update photos, since the date of this post? I remember seeing this at Starshipbuilder, before things changed. I'll make sure to keep an eye on this. Have you thought of doing a TOS version?